Account Manager - Stone Fruit & Kiwi

The Fresh Produce Centre; Whetsted; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

6.6 weeks annual leave incl. bank hols

Optional company share scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Free onsite parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Medicash

Death in service benefit

Job summary

The Fresh Produce Centre is seeking an experienced Account Manager to strengthen partnerships between retailers and overseas growers, driving category growth and improving service levels.

You will own account performance, manage forecasts and OTIF, negotiate with retailers, and collaborate with supply-chain, product development and sustainability teams to shape category plans and new formats. Occasional overseas travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in fresh produce, food or FMCG account management.
• Strong knowledge of supply chains and retailer requirements.
• Excellent communication, presentation, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Proactive and collaborative with strong problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day commercial and operational relations between FreshPLUS, retailers and overseas growers.
• Owns account performance, forecasts, OTIF, availability and waste, and resolves supply or quality issues.
• Shapes category plans, runs range reviews and seasonal programmes with internal teams.
• Leads NPD from concept to launch with growers on new varieties and packaging.

Skills

Account management

Fresh produce / FMCG knowledge

Retailer relationships

Excel

Power BI

Communication

Negotiation

Analytics

Travel (occasional)

Team collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Job description

If you are an experienced fresh produce, food or FMCG Account Manager who thrives on building customer and grower partnerships, improving service and driving category growth, this could be your next career move.

As Account Manager, you will manage the day-to-day commercial and operational relationship between FreshPLUS, Retailers and a network of overseas growers. You will be the key link between supply and demand, ensuring customer priorities are understood, grower capability is aligned and stakeholders remain connected across the supply chain.

You will own account performance—managing volumes and profitability, monitoring OTIF, forecast accuracy, availability and waste, and leading the resolution of supply, quality and service issues. Using sales, financial, market and competitor insight, you will identify risks and opportunities, support negotiations and deliver clear forecasts and performance reporting.

Working with The retailer’s buying, technical, supply-chain and product-development teams, you will also shape category plans, range reviews and seasonal programmes. You will lead NPD from concept to launch, collaborating with growers on new varieties, formats, packaging and sustainability initiatives that improve sales, margin and customer satisfaction.

Our Perfect Account Manager Would Have

• Account management, commercial or customer-service experience in fresh produce, food or FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of fresh-produce supply chains and major-retailer requirements.
• Experience managing retailer relationships with major UK grocer’s is desirable.
• Commercial awareness and confidence interpreting financial, sales and market data.
• Excellent communication, presentation, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong organisation, judgement and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI and Microsoft Office applications.
• A proactive, resilient, collaborative and customer-focused approach.

The Hours You Would Work

• Monday to Friday. 8am–5pm (40hrs per week) with occasional travel overseas.

What We Can Offer You

• A competitive salary.
• 6.6 weeks annual leave incl. bank hols.
• Pension scheme.
• Optional company share scheme.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Free onsite parking.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Medicash.
• Death in service benefit.